Arrangement for selective firing of so-called IR-torches

Abstract

Arrangement for selective firing of IR-torches comprising an interchangeable magazine having cartridges each of which holds a predetermined number of the torches. The cartridges are positioned in corresponding tubular frames of the magazine. A mounting ramp is provided with a central guiding pin and a polar guiding pin to be fitted into corresponding recesses of the magazine when mounting the same. Each cartridge is provided with electric connecting means in the shape of concentric contact rings, the number of which is at least one more than the number of torches of the cartridge. The rings are provided on a plate at the end of the cartridge and are put into electric contact with corresponding point-shaped contact elements of the ramp during mounting of the magazine onto the ramp.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for selectively firing IR-torches comprising, a firing ramp shaped so as to support an interchangeable magazine holding a plurality of tubular cartridges each of which comprises a predetermined number of said IR-torches, each cartridge being provided with electric connecting means which, during mounting of the magazine onto the ramp, are put into contact with corresponding electric connection pieces providing on the ramp so that the cartridges may be supplied separately with electric firing control signals via said ramp, the ramp being provided with a central guiding pin and a polar guiding pin intended to be fitted into corresponding control recesses of the magazine during mounting and in a manner such that the magazine will have a well defined axial position and angular position, respectively, with respect to the ramp, the interior of each magazine being provided with tubular frames extending in parallel with the central axis of the magazine and in which frames the tubular cartridges are inserted, the electric connection means provided on each of said cartridges comprising a plate made of an adequate electrically insulating material on which a number of separate electrically conducting contact rings are provided concentrically with respect to the central axis of the cartridge, the number of contact rings being at least one more than the number of IR torches of each cartridge, said plate being positioned on that end of the cartridge which is directed to the ramp and in a manner such that it is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the cartridge, said corresponding connection pieces of the ramp for each cartridge comprising at least the same number of point-shaped electric contact elements as the number of contact rings, said point-shaped contact elements being arranged so that each element is brought into electric contact with its corresponding contact ring on said plate when the magazine is mounted mechanically. 
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the magazine end which is directed towards the ramp is provided with a removable disc having a circular opening opposite to each of said cartridges, the centre of said opening being coincident with the central axis of the cartridge and the opening having a diameter which is somewhat larger than the largest diameter contact ring whereby the contact rings are accessible to said point-shaped contact elements via the openings so provided, said disc being shaped so as to mechanically lock at the same time each cartridge in its respective frame. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said point-shaped contact elements is composed of a spring-loaded contact pin displaceable in a direction parallel to the axis of said central guiding pin and which is arranged so as to protrude a predetermined distance from the ramp, whereby a well defined contact pressure between each of said contact pins and the corresponding contact rings is obtained when the magazine is brought into contact with the ramp during a mounting operation. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said contact rings of each plate is arranged so as to provide a common connection to ground for each torch of its cartridge, the contact pin corresponding thereto being arranged so as to protrude a greater distance from the ramp than the further contact pins of the ramp. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate and the contact rings provided thereon are formed as a printed circuit. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the innermost contact ring of said number of concentric contact rings is shaped as a circular contact point. 
     
     
       7. A magazine adapted to be interchangeably mounted in a firing ramp of an aircraft or the like comprising, a plurality of tubular frames situated within the magazine and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the magazine, a plurality of tubular cartridges insertable in said tubular frames with each cartridge holding a plurality of IR-torches adapted to be selectively fired in response to electric firing control signals received via a plurality of electric contact elements provided on said firing ramp, said magazine including first and second recesses adapted to mate with a respective central guiding pin and a polar guiding pin extending from the firing ramp so that the magazine will have a predetermined axial position and angular position relative to the firing ramp, each of said cartridges further comprising a plate made of an electric insulating material on which a plurality of individual electrically conductive contact rings are arranged concentrically about a central axis of the cartridge, the number of contact rings being at least one more than the number of IR-torches in said cartridge, said plate being located at the end of the cartridge which is to be directed towards the firing ramp and being arranged perpendicular to the central axis of the cartridge, said contact rings being arranged to be placed into contact with respective corresponding ones of said electric contact elements of the firing ramp when the magazine is mounted on the firing ramp. 
     
     
       8. A magazine as claimed in claim 7 wherein one end of the magazine is adapted to be directed towards the firing ramp and includes a removable disc having openings therein opposite to each of said cartridges with each opening being larger than the largest contact ring so that all of the contact rings are accessible to the ramp contact elements via said openings, said disc being formed so as to mechanically lock each cartridge in its respective frame. 
     
     
       9. In combination, a magazine as claimed in claim 7 and a firing ramp, wherein said firing ramp includes contact elements comprising spring-loaded elongate elements axially displaceable in a direction parallel to the axis of said central guiding pin, one of said contact rings being adapted to provide a common reference potential, and wherein the ramp contact element corresponding thereto is arranged to protrude further than the remaining contact elements so that said one contact ring and its corresponding contact element make contact before the remaining contact elements make contact with their respective contact rings upon mounting of the magazine to the firing ramp.